by Maddie Wade
“Here sit down before you fall down.”
Mitch eased her onto the couch before he sat beside her. Autumn felt the brush of fabric from his sweats on her bare legs. Not expecting company, she was only wearing tiny sleep shorts and a jersey camisole top. Awareness slammed through her at the muscles pressed so close to her body. Mitch was a sexy distraction, but one she couldn’t afford.
His brow furrowed, and he looked physically pained to hear her baby cry. “Is there anything you can give her?”
Absurdly it was that shared experience that made her feel less alone. How sad was she that the comfort from her landlord was the only thing holding her together right now?
“She’s due some Calpol in fifteen minutes.” Exhaustion made her feel weepy, and she swallowed past the damned lump in her throat his words brought as she answered him.
“How about I hold her, and you go get it ready?” Mitch held out his arms and Autumn paused for a split second before leaning forward and gently handing off her daughter to Mitch, his knuckles grazing her breast and causing a shiver to cascade down her body to her pussy.
This man made her feel raw in so many areas, from her reawakened libido to the vulnerability she seemed to let show when he was around.
“Sorry.”
Mitch’s sheepish smile told her he knew what he’d done, the twinkle in his eyes saying he was not that sorry. Autumn raised an eyebrow but said nothing, not trusting her own voice right then.
Moving to the bathroom, she grabbed the Calpol and filled the baby dormal with the medicine. The baby dummy that administered medication had been a godsend and meant she got most of the medicine in her baby not all down her top. On her way back from the bathroom, she stopped as she heard Mitch talking to Maggie.
“Sound like you’ve had a rough day, darlin’. How about we get you some of the good stuff, then you have a good sleep so your mum can get some rest? Those beautiful eyes of hers look ready to close standing up.”
Autumn held a hand to her chest to stop the ache where her heart constricted. It had never dawned on her that Maggie might be missing out but hearing him speak, listening to the one-sided nonsense conversation, opened her eyes to the fact that a child needed a father.
Sagging against the wall, she closed her heavy eyes. A child could live without two parents, they could live without any but they didn’t thrive the same in her opinion. She loved her father and knew his calm protectiveness had guided her to make good decisions that perhaps her mother’s more nurturing softness wouldn’t have. Doubt in her ability to do this alone was like lead on her shoulders, and for just one night, she wanted to share that load with someone.
Knowing it was a fool’s dream to crave a man you shouldn’t want, Autumn pushed away from the wall and moved down the hall towards a silent Maggie and Mitch. Her life had changed beyond compare the night she saw her husband murdered. Now she had to fight to stay ahead of the man who would kill her in a heartbeat, leaving her baby without a mother if he got the chance.
“Hey, I’m all set.”
The sight in front of her, of Mitch cradling Maggie in his big arms, the muscle of his biceps straining against her tiny body had her yearning for something she shouldn’t want. He had his phone out and was playing candy crunch as Maggie made ba-ba, ma-ma noises at him.
His head twisted to her, and he grinned a triumphant grin. “Your girl likes candy crunch, got me to level seventy-six,” he looked back to Maggie, “didn’t ya, bubby.”
Autumn smiled as she took a seat facing Maggie and Mitch on the couch. “She likes the colours.” As she spoke, she offered Maggie the dormal, and her daughter sucked it into her mouth, taking the medicine like a champ.
“She likes that.”
Mitch grinned at her and Autumn allowed herself to wonder what it might be like if things were different and she wasn’t living with this huge secret.
“Have you tasted the stuff? It’s like liquid candyfloss. Of course she likes it.”
Mitch chuckled. “Can’t say as I’ve tasted Calpol, honey.”
Honey, that one simple word meant nothing, and yet the way it made her feel was everything. She’d become invisible in the last eighteen months, even before that if she were honest with herself.
Her husband had been so engrossed with what was going on at work he hadn’t been at home a lot and he’d spent every waking hour on his phone or laptop. After his death, she’d become the sole witness that could put Linton Allen inside for the rest of his life. The star witness, whose testimony was the only thing that mattered, convinced by the Crown Prosecution Service that they’d protect her until he went away for life. But he hadn’t gone down, he’d walked away because of a technicality, and now she was a woman in hiding, a single mother and sole provider for her child. Yet, for one second, for a fleeting moment, she’d felt like a woman, and it was good, better than good, it made her feel alive.
“Autumn?”
She shook her head to dislodge the thoughts and her reaction to the simple word. “Yes?”
Her eyes met Mitch’s, and she hid her thoughts from him. She’d been told countless times that her eyes were too expressive, but for a few moments his were too, and she saw so many questions there she couldn’t answer, it hurt to look at him.
“I asked if you wanted to take her. I think she needs a change.”
The information woke her up, and she leaned in to take Maggie from him as a single tear welled up in her eye. Mitch allowed her to take Maggie, who already seemed a little better, her cheeks less red.
“Hey, what’s this?”
His coarse finger touched the skin of her cheek as he caught the wetness before it ran down her cheek. He was so close now she could feel his heat surrounding her. How she longed to sink into his strength, to absorb some of it so she could store it for times liked this.
It had only been two weeks since they’d met, and yet she knew she was safe with Mitch. Sure, she was attracted to him but it was more than that. Autumn felt like she knew him, deep in her soul knew they were connected in a way she couldn’t understand.
Meeting his eyes, she offered him a small grin. “Just tired. I’m weepy and pathetic when I’m tired.”
A big hand cupped the back of her neck, and his head dipped closer. Autumn’s breath hitched, and she thought he might kiss her—wanted him to kiss her. Wanted to feel this heat, know his strength, but at the last second, he pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Crying isn’t a weakness. Raising a baby alone is fucking hard work. You need to give yourself a break. You’ve had a shitty time of it, so go easy on yourself and let people help you.”
Autumn had a second’s hesitation as she wondered if he knew her secret, but that was impossible. She badly wanted to accept his offer, to let him in and lean on him. She and Bebe had forged a friendship of sorts, and that had been easy. Autumn had baked her some cupcakes to say thanks for her help and Bebe had put the kettle on so they could share them.
This was different though. She sensed that she and Mitch could be so much more. Maybe just it was the sensual bite of attraction or perhaps more, but she knew it had the ability to undo her defences in ways she wasn’t sure she wanted.
“I can’t be anything other than your friend, Mitch,” she warned him with honesty leaking from every pore.
“Let’s start there then.” His grin made her think of sweaty nights and a long lazy morning, but she nodded. “But first, let’s get this one changed, she’s stinking up the place.”
Autumn laughed at his words, forgetting that he was probably not as desensitised to her daughter’s lethal behind as she was, but his words had done as she knew he’d intended and stopped her tears.
Standing, she walked towards her bedroom. Maggie was still in a cot next to the bed and her gaze dropped to the floor where her rumpled sheets lay across the air mattress she was sleeping on.
“Can you pass me the wipes?” she asked Mitch, who was looking around the room with a frown. He looked annoyed, and she wondered wha
t had crawled up his ass. “Mitch, wipes?”
He looked up seeming perplexed. “Huh?”
“Baby wipes. This getting everywhere.”
Mitch pulled a face, and she thought he was going to puke as he handed her the wipes and stepped back a pace. Autumn cleaned up her baby quickly and had her in a new onesie in minutes.
Autumn kissed Maggie’s cheek. “There, all cleaned up.”
Placing Maggie in her cot she gave her the pacifier and covered her with the blanket before rubbing a finger over her cheek, all the love and wonder she felt building up in her heart.
Walking out of the room behind Mitch, she pulled the door almost closed. The broad expanse of his shoulders in front of her made her body ache to touch him, her fingers almost reaching for him, only stopping herself by sheer will power.
“Why are you sleeping on a goddamn air mattress?”
Autumn was taken aback as he rounded on her, his face tight with irritation. She blinked, not expecting the question or the tone in which he’d asked it. Her own temper flared at his high handed manner, and her eyebrows rose as her hands went to her ample hips.
If it was one thing Autumn had, it was tits and ass, and she used them to her advantage now because she sure didn’t have height on this man, but she could throw down attitude with the best of them. “Excuse me?”
He stepped close, and she saw the muscle twitch in his jaw as he looked down at her, his body towering over her own. “You heard me. Why the fuck are you sleeping on the floor?”
“It is not the floor, it’s an air bed.”
“Bullshit, it’s the fucking floor. You need a real bed so you get some decent rest. No wonder you’re fucking tired sleeping on that piece of shit.”
“I sleep fine.”
“Of course you do, honey.”
The sarcasm wasn’t lost on her, neither was the sweep of his eyes over her body.
“I have a baby. Tiredness is in the job description.”
“Well, it won’t be because you have a shit bed, not on my watch. First thing tomorrow we’re going bed shopping so be ready.”
His arm banded around her and hauled her against his body as he kissed her hard. His tongue plundered her mouth as her body went slack against the onslaught of desire that had her leaning into him. As fast as it began, it was over and he pulled away, his hand still holding her hips steady as she swayed on her weak legs.
“Damn, woman, you pack a punch.” Before Autumn could respond, he was at the door, regarding her with heavy-lidded eyes, his hand on the door. “Lock up.”
Autumn nodded and moved to do as he said, her fingertips brushing her lips, a smile echoing over her face.
Chapter Six
Mitch lifted his hand and knocked briskly on Autumn’s door before dropping his hand to his side. Last night when he’d gone over to her place he’d had no intention of kissing her, not a thought in his head about following through on his fantasies, but he’d learned so much about her in the time he’d been there. That knowledge had changed everything for him.
She was a fucking phenomenal mother—strong and fierce yet so damn sweet she made his teeth ache. Her body was sinful, and every movement she made, no matter how innocent, screamed sensuality. Autumn was sexier than any stripper could ever hope to be in those tiny cotton shorts she’d had on. Her long muscular legs ended in a curvy ass he’d wanted to grab onto with both hands while he kissed the fear from her eyes. Autumn’s temper when he’d bossed her around had been to blame he’d reasoned when he got back to his own apartment. It was that fire that tipped him over the edge so he couldn’t hold back from kissing her.
Women with spirit were a personal weakness for him. He had no use for meek and mild, he didn’t want a woman who’d break, he wanted a warrior and most especially when they looked like Autumn did. She was beautiful no doubt, but the way she’d looked at Maggie had awakened something Mitch hadn’t known about himself. Her love for her child was primal, and he knew she’d die for Maggie in a heartbeat. It had him wanting to know her secrets, to find out what she was running from.
Mitch had been a copper a long time, it had taken him until he was almost twenty to drag himself completely away from the gang mentality he’d grown up with. Even after his mum had moved away, he’d been a pain in her ass, getting into trouble for petty crimes. Only the kindness from one detective had changed his outlook, that same man had gone on to become his step-father, and he’d always be thankful for Tony and the role he’d played in his life.
Now his role with Eidolon allowed him access to situations where people were at their most vulnerable, and he tried to do the same, to be that man for others. He’d seen the cautious look, had noticed the extra locks on the door and windows, ones he hadn’t installed, and it caused questions to worm through him. Who was she running from and why?
As he’d stepped into a cold shower at four am, it had struck him that he wanted her in his bed, but he also liked her in his life. In what capacity he didn’t know yet, but he intended to find out, and in the meantime, he’d do whatever he could to get her to open up so he could protect her and that began with a fucking bed.
The door swung back, and he was greeted with a small smile from Autumn, a flicker of pleasure in her eyes as they roved over him quickly. Maggie was in her arms and looking much happier than she had last night.
“Morning, honey.” He stepped through as she paced into the living room, bending to grab a toy from the floor and giving him a cracking view of her ass.
She stood and spun, catching him looking, giving him a glare which lacked any heat at all. Mitch grinned back unrepentantly, lifting a brow in challenge. Him looking at her was something she’d have to get used to because he planned on doing it a lot more.
Autumn dropped her gaze first as he’d known she would, and he tucked his hands in his pockets as he took in the shadows under her beautiful, expressive eyes.
“This isn’t necessary, you know. I’m sure you have much better things to do than take me bed shopping.”
Mitch crossed his arms. “Nope.”
Autumn huffed, shaking her head, and turned, thrusting Maggie at him. Mitch automatically took her, bringing Maggie to his chest as Autumn left the room. He’d literally been left holding the baby. His eyes lowered to the child who was looking at him as she babbled nonsense words. Her little arms were waving wildly before she smacked him in the face with a wet, slobbery hand.
“Hey, hold up, champ.” He took her delicate hand in his as she wrapped her fingers around his thumb and tried to shove it in her mouth. “You don’t want to be doing that, gorgeous.” He chuckled as he resisted and distracted her by tickling her belly.
“Here, try this.” Autumn walked from the bedroom wearing a denim jacket over a burgundy maxi dress and converse trainers, passing him a coloured set of plastic shapes. He handed them to Maggie, who took them and shook them wildly before gnawing on them.
“Thanks, thought I might lose a digit for a sec there.”
Autumn was standing beside him, and he looked down at her as her scent enveloped him. He’d been able to smell her scent all night and to say it was distracting was an understatement, and yet he wanted more.
“You ready to go?”
Mitch nodded. “If you are.”
Autumn took Maggie from him, grabbing her large changing bag, keys, phone, and wallet. He watched her check the locks on the windows before she followed him to the door, locking up and double-checking it was secure.
She offered him a self-conscious grin. “Sorry, I’m a little OCD about safety.”
Mitch tipped his head, pursing his lips. “That’s a good thing. I’m the same myself.”
“You are?” Taking the pram from under the stairs, Mitch lifted it and folded it flat.
“I am. Being in the force and seeing the things I have makes you extra cautious. We’re taking my car.” He nodded at the pram as she watched him.
“Oh, I don’t have a rain cover and it looks like the weath
er could turn.”
He saw the flicker of disappointment cross her face before she hid it, the look gave him hope and almost made him smile, but he fought it.
“No problem, I already borrowed one until you can sort one out.”
“How? When?”
“My friend Nate lives a few doors down. His little girl Nancy isn’t using this one and we can use it until you get your own.”
Autumn gave him a suspicious look. “How did you know my rain cover got ripped?”
Mitch shrugged. “I didn’t. I just saw you didn’t have one on the pram and when I was talking to Nate, saw they did so I asked to borrow it.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t want to give you an excuse to say no.” He looked a little sheepish then and she wanted to smile but forced it back.
“Oh, okay.”
Mitch took her elbow, leading her to his car before opening the back door.
“Wow, you fitted the car seat too. When did you do that?”
Mitch could have lied and basked in her praise but came clean. “Your car was open, and we’ll talk about that at some point.” He scratched his chin, biting his tongue from lecturing her about her disregard to her safety with everything going on. “Anyway, Nate fitted it for me. This baby paraphernalia is a fucking nightmare to figure out. I honestly don’t know how you make it look so easy.”
Autumn laughed, and the sound made the hair on his nape prickle with unexpected joy and desire. It was a rich, warm sound that came from deep in her belly, causing his dick to jump to attention. Mitch wanted to taste her lips as she bent, utterly unaware of the effect she had on him, and buckled Maggie in the car seat.
He bit back the groan as her ass brushed his leg and had to step back, or he’d end up getting arrested or slapped. Choosing the safe option, he moved to the driver’s side and got in. Autumn followed suit, a wide grin on her face as she buckled in and turned to look at Maggie.
“She loves the car. She looks so happy.”
Mitch wasn’t looking at Maggie; his eyes were drawn to the lightness in her voice, the crinkle at her eyes as her smile went wide and unguarded. She was so beautiful when she let herself relax. Autumn was beautiful all the time but unreserved she was a goddess. He’d been on this earth for forty-five years and not once had a woman affected him like this. He’d had women, lots of them, some had even been serious, but none had made him feel this terrifying desperation like Autumn did.